Tragedy as Parents Kill 4 Children in Dominican Republic

• Dominican Republic police confirmed four children were murdered by their parents in separate incidents
• A father in Santo Domingo was arrested for allegedly suffocating his toddler son; police described the killings as “deeply shocking” and devastating for families
• Authorities linked the tragedies to other recent child killings, urging vigilance and stronger action against domestic violence and untreated mental health issues

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have confirmed that four children were murdered by their parents in separate incidents over the weekend, deepening concern over a disturbing rise in cases of filicide in the Caribbean nation.

Police said a 36-year-old woman living on the outskirts of Santo Domingo poisoned her three children, aged seven, nine, and 11, on Sunday, August 24, by lacing their fruit juice. She later ingested the same substance and died at the scene.

Investigators recovered a handwritten note believed to have been left by the mother, though officials declined to disclose its contents, Punch reported.

Read also

“Declare state of emergency in two states”: ADC tells Tinubu, lists them

Father accused of suffocating toddler

On the same day, officers in the capital arrested a man accused of suffocating his son, a toddler aged one year and eight months.

Authorities said he remains in custody while investigations continue.

Police spokesperson Colonel Miguel Arias described the developments as “deeply shocking.”

“The loss of these young lives under such circumstances has horrified our nation. Families and communities are devastated,” Arias said.

Other recent cases raise alarm

Officials noted that the latest killings add to a series of similar cases reported this month in the country of nearly 11 million people, Vanguard reported

Last week, a couple was arrested in Santo Domingo after their seven-year-old daughter died showing what authorities described as “signs of physical abuse and barbarity.”

Just days earlier, on 11 August, police in Nagua, in the northeast, reported that a man had hanged his two-year-old son before taking his own life.

Read also

“We found over 50 bodies, we’re still searching for more,” Survivors of Katsina mosque attack speak

Dominican Republic authorities urge vigilance

The spate of cases has prompted renewed calls for vigilance and stronger interventions to address domestic violence and mental health struggles within families.

“We must protect our children. Authorities, neighbours, and relatives must not remain silent when there are warning signs. These tragedies are preventable,” he said.

Lady dies after arriving boyfriend’s house

Previously, Legit.ng reported that police operatives have arrested a man identified as Yinka after his girlfriend, Bidemi Omole, died in his house in Esa-Oke town in Osun State.

It was gathered that Bidemi, after arriving at her boyfriend’s house, suddenly took ill and died shortly after on Friday evening, August 25, 2025.

Many residents reportedly thronged the house of the suspect as soon as the news of the death spread. A resident simply identified as Taye said the deceased died not long after she arrived at her boyfriend’s house.

Source: Legit.ng